another stimulus package?

[Garden~Lover]

say what??

I just heard this on the news anyone know anything about this?

[KerriAZ]

I, too, caught part of this on the news, but I didn't hear it all! I, too, would like to hear more, if anyone knows!! :

[Denvergirlie]

It's been talked about since the first round of checks went out, as far back as March of this year. Now it's gaining more momentum. Bernake called for it last week and Bush chimed in to. Pelosi has been calling for a 2nd one since March.

They are talking about extending unemployment benefits, food stamps, tax cuts for small businesses, public works spending (bridges, roads, etc) and sending out another wave of checks to tax payers.

Still doesn't address any of the problems of today and is nothing more than adding more federal debt. Might ease the pain for a bit the the bandaid will still be torn off causing more pain in the long run. In the long run it will add to more inflation as the Federal Reserve (a privately owned bank, nothing Federal about it) just prints more money out of thin air, the costs of everything will rise again.

Here are some recent news stories about it, some are older but you can goggle "second stimulus package" and get a wealth of results

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/...rats.stimulus/

[Mallori]

There is talk, but I've not heard of details being shared yet. Here's one article: Stimulus

Posted at same time as Denvergirlie, basically, what she said.

[grniys]

Yeah, there's been talk, but I doubt it'll happen. It won't really do anything to give a boost in the long run.

But I wouldn't complain if we got them by Christmas!

[laohaire]

I bet it will happen, but not under Bush (not because he'll prevent it, but because Obama's cronies will - so Obama can take the credit).

Probably next Spring.

I don't think it's a good idea - and that's coming from someone who really needs about 800-1000 bucks right now.

[Belleweather]

What I'm hearing is that another stimulus package wouldn't be cash checks again -- it would be increased food stamps, extending the amount of time people can get unemployment, more heating assistance for low income families and the elderly, and a whole chunk of spending on infrastructure in an attempt to get more jobs opening up.

All of which seems to be a far smarter way to stimulate the economy than just passing out checks.

[Ironica]

Originally Posted by Belleweather

What I'm hearing is that another stimulus package wouldn't be cash checks again -- it would be increased food stamps, extending the amount of time people can get unemployment, more heating assistance for low income families and the elderly, and a whole chunk of spending on infrastructure in an attempt to get more jobs opening up.

All of which seems to be a far smarter way to stimulate the economy than just passing out checks.

My mom's been saying for ages that Obama should/will bring back the WPA. Heck, the Interstate Highway System was basically a post-WWII recovery stimulus package ;-).

[Mulvah]

I surely hope not; it is a waste. Beneficial to those of us who save? Sure. Beneficial to the country? No!

Originally Posted by laohaire

I bet it will happen, but not under Bush (not because he'll prevent it, but because Obama's cronies will - so Obama can take the credit).

Probably next Spring.

I don't think it's a good idea - and that's coming from someone who really needs about 800-1000 bucks right now.

Eh, this gets a wee bit political....

[Belleweather]

Originally Posted by Ironica

My mom's been saying for ages that Obama should/will bring back the WPA. Heck, the Interstate Highway System was basically a post-WWII recovery stimulus package ;-).

Yeah, I'm from (and returning to) the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, so I am understandably a bit enthusiastic about infrastructure improvements!

But I know that they're also looking into doing things like improving the electrical grid to prevent blackouts and gear us up to be able to use more renewable energy, which will require a "smart" grid, and looking into improving railways for both passenger use and for moving goods around the country using less fossil fuels.

Like, a new-smart-green WPA.